American Samoa's governor, Togiola Tulafono has apologised to government employees whose hours have been cut from today.
He has told listeners to his weekly radio show that there was no other option given the serious financial shortfall the government faces.
Togiola also pointed out that revenue bills to cover the shortfall had been sent to the Fono three weeks ago but are yet to be approved by lawmakers.
He says he had hoped that some of these revenues measures, which include a hike in business licence fees and a new corporate tax would have been approved by now.